Rankings & Recognition

How SAU Shines
When you shine, people take notice. See how SAU has been recognized — for value, career preparation, academic excellence and beyond.
A Distinguished Education

U.S. News and World Report‘s 2020 “Best Colleges” rankings named SAU as a top-tier Midwest Regional University for the 11th consecutive year! SAU was also ranked among the “Best Value Schools,” “Best Colleges for Veterans” and “Top Performers in Social Mobility” in the midwest.

The Economist ranked SAU No. 1 in long-term economic value among Christian universities in the region and No. 2 among all universities (public and private) in Michigan.

SAU was recognized as a College of Distinction in 2019.

The Michigan Veteran’s Affairs Agency has awarded SAU Gold-Level status for our commitment to and involvement in their Veteran-Friendly Schools program.

College Choice ranked SAU #10 in their list of the “25 Best Online Colleges in Michigan” in 2017.

Christian Universities Online ranked SAU among the “50 Best Value Christian Colleges & Universities” in 2017.
Traditional Undergraduate
Elementary & Secondary Education

U.S. News and World Report‘s 2020 “Best Colleges” rankings named SAU’s undergraduate teaching program among the best in the midwest.

SAU’s elementary education program was named one of the nation’s top teacher prep programs in the first edition of a new book from the National Council on Teacher Quality, titled “Start Here to Become a Teacher.”

The National Council on Teacher Quality ranked SAU in the 92nd percentile for undergraduate secondary school teacher prep programs in the nation in 2017.
Social Work

SAU’s traditional undergraduate social work program was ranked #1 in Michigan — and #19 in the nation — for veterans by College Factual in 2019.

Named among the “10 Best Colleges for Social Work Majors in Michigan” by Zippia in 2018
Nursing

Named among the “10 Best Colleges for Nursing Majors in Michigan” by Zippia in 2018
Adult & Professional

SAU’s Bachelor of Social Work was named best in Michigan for returning adults by College Factual in 2019.
Online

SAU was named among “The Most Affordable Online Colleges” by Intelligent in 2020.

Online Christian Colleges ranked SAU #17 in their list of the “50 Best Christian Graduate Schools Online” in 2018.
Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership

Named among the “Best Online Master’s in Communications Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2020

Named among the “Best Online Master’s in Media Communications Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2020

Named among the “Best Online Master’s in Communications Degree Programs” by SuperScholar in 2020

Ranked among “The Best Online Master’s in Media Communications Programs” in the nation by Online Masters in 2019

Named among “The Best Online Master’s in Communication Programs” in the nation by Online Masters in 2019
Master of Business Administration

Named among “The Best Online MBA in Human Resources Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2020

Named among “The Best Online MBA in Human Resources Programs” in the nation by Online Masters in 2019

Executive Leadership Concentration ranked #6 among the “25 Best Online Executive MBA Programs” by College Consensus in 2019

Named among the “Top 15 Online MBA Programs in Michigan” by Online MBA Today
Bachelor of Social Work

Named among the “Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Degree Programs” by GradReports in 2020

Named among the “20 Best Online Social Work Degrees” by SocialWorkDegree in 2020

Named among the “10 Best Social Work Degrees in Michigan” by SocialWorkDegree in 2020
Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Named among “The Best Online Master’s in English Language Learning Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2020

Named among “The Best Online Master’s in English Language Learning Programs” in the nation by Online Masters in 2019
Master of Science in Nursing

Named among “The Best Online Master of Science in Nursing Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2020

Named among “The Best Online MSN Programs” in the nation by Online Masters in 2018
Master of Special Education

Named among the “Best Online Master’s in Special Education Degrees” by Top Master’s in Education